Owned and Operated - A Plumbing, Electrical, and HVAC Business Growth Podcast

Double Your Profit Day #23 Why Over Delegating Can Hurt Your Business!

9 snips

Aug 23, 2025

In this discussion, business growth is put under the microscope, focusing on the fine line between healthy delegation and harmful abdication. Delegation can be a superpower, but when leaders stop making critical decisions, growth stalls. Discover the pitfalls that many owners encounter when their revenue hits $3–5 million, leading them to check out too early. Learn why staying involved in cash flow, margins, and vendor negotiations is essential for long-term success.

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INSIGHT

Why Many Entrepreneurs Begin With A Seizure

Entrepreneurs often start businesses from an impulsive drive rather than a plan.
That drive can turn daily work into a chaotic nightmare if systems aren't built.

INSIGHT

Delegation vs. Abdication

Delegation is crucial to free owners from tactical work so they can focus on higher-level roles.
But delegation becomes dangerous when it slips into abdication of strategic responsibilities.

ADVICE

Keep Critical Financial Decisions With You

Stay personally involved in cash, margin, vendor deals, and profit-impacting choices.
Keep driving the business forward by owning strategic decisions even after delegating tactics.

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Welcome to Day 23 of the Double Your Profit Series
The go-to series for contractors, home service owners, and small business entrepreneurs.Today, we’re talking about a trap that many business owners fall into as they grow: Over-Delegation.

Yes, you should delegate. Yes, you should make yourself replaceable in the day-to-day. But there’s a critical line you cannot cross: abdication.

🧠 Why Over-Delegation Is Dangerous
Delegation is a superpower — it frees you up to work on the business, not in the business. But when you start delegating away the strategic, profit-driving decisions (cash flow, margin, vendor relationships, growth strategy)… you’re no longer leading. You’re just avoiding. Too many owners hit $3–5M in revenue, check themselves out of the day-to-day, and lose sight of the steering wheel. That’s not leadership. That’s abdication.

💡 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

The difference between delegation vs. abdication — and why one fuels growth while the other kills it

Why owners must stay close to cash, margin, and vendor negotiations no matter how big they get

The common trap at the $3–5M mark where owners “retire” too early (boats, lake houses… sound familiar?)

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⚙️ The Big Picture
Your business doesn’t just need a manager. It needs a leader. Delegation removes the tactical from your plate — but you still own the strategy, vision, and profit-driving calls.

🔥 Think of this episode as your reminder: don’t check out too early. Stay in the driver’s seat for the critical decisions that shape your company’s future.

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John Wilson, CEO of Wilson Companies
Jack Carr, CEO of Rapid HVAC

📌 Disclaimer: Some links may include UTM parameters or affiliate relationships, meaning we may earn a commission if you make a purchase. Episodes may feature sponsors, but all opinions expressed are our own.